Dominic Thiem's run to the 2020 US Open title was memorable, but the Austrian said it did not change his life like he expected.
Thiem plays the first match of his farewell tournament at the 2024 Vienna Open on Tuesday against Luciano Darderi. That contest could be the last of his career if he cannot find a way to defeat the Italian.
The 31-year-old already had a terrific retirement ceremony on Sunday in Vienna. Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer were among those who paid tribute to Thiem's achievements on the court and his personality off it.
Thiem also played an exhibition set with his friend Alexander Zverev. The pair competing against each other brought back memories of their 2020 US Open final, which was one of the most dramatic Grand Slam finals ever played.
It was the fourth major final of Thiem's career. Rafael Nadal had beaten him in two French Open finals, and Novak Djokovic overcame him in an Australian Open final. Thiem hoped to avoid replicating Andy Murray, who lost his first four Grand Slam finals.
Zverev looked to be consigning Thiem to that fate when he won the opening two sets. Recovering from that position after losing all his previous Grand Slam finals seemed like a tough ask for the Austrian.
However, Thiem managed to do just that. Although the quality was not as high as many other major finals, the two-time French Open runner-up held his nerve better to triumph 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6.
Thiem's subsequent wrist injuries severely hampered the rest of his career, so he would not have had another opportunity to win another Grand Slam if Zverev had defeated him at Flushing Meadows.
The 17-time ATP titlist thought securing a Grand Slam might make him happy forever. But he told Tennis Majors during an interview that becoming a major champion did not change his life much.
"Honestly, I think back then I took it way too importantly for my career and for my life. Even, I thought that it would make me happy forever, and would change my life forever. But, of course, it’s not like that. It’s an illusion. Basically, nothing changed."
"I really thought: ‘OK, if I’m not going to win a slam in my career, my career is not great and I always will have some doubts’. It was not an easy situation. Of course, it’s very nice to have the title, to have the trophy at home, but in the end it’s still only a trophy and it shouldn’t make a big difference in life."
Thiem admitted he quickly realized that winning the US Open would not make him happy forever, despite still being glad he got the opportunity to become a Grand Slam winner.
"Yeah, it was pretty, pretty quick. I suddenly realised that it wouldn’t make me happy forever necessarily. After like three or four months, things got back to normal and it was not the way I expected. It was a very interesting situation, a challenging experience as well. But I’m very happy that I got to make it."
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